Be consistent with feeding, walks, potty breaks, and the use of the crate. Dogs thrive on routine, and this will help your puppy adjust. Decide on a place for his crate where he won't feel isolated and alone. Many owners put the crate in their bedroom, where the puppy can feel close to his new family.
Dogs are a naturally social species and it's normal for them to stay close to their social group which is why they can become anxious when left alone. When a puppy is first separated from their mother and litter mates, their usual response will be to whine, whimper or bark while trying to get back to them.
Unfortunately, puppies don't just grow out of separation anxiety. If you leave it untreated, it will likely just get worse, and it certainly won't get any better! However, thankfully, it's not too difficult to treat and just takes a little TLC and training.
Expect to spend around two months working with your dog to alleviate his separation anxiety. Taking it slowly during the early stages–getting your dog comfortable at the moment of your departure–will allow the later stages of lengthening your time away to much more quickly.
Most of the time we recommend that your pup be settled for 5 or more minutes before being let out of their crate. The most ideal scenario is that your pup cries for a bit, but settles in under 30 minutes and falls asleep.
Giving your dog a puzzle/food toy to work on.
One way to help manage your dog's separation anxiety is by encouraging independent behaviors. Give your dog something fun to do on their own such as a long lasting chew toy, puzzle toy or stuffed Kong.
Being abandoned, surrendered to a shelter or given to a new guardian or family can trigger the development of separation anxiety. An abrupt change in schedule in terms of when or how long a dog is left alone can trigger the development of separation anxiety.
Establish a consistent routine and rules - reward good behaviour and ignore bad behaviour. Feed them the same puppy food as they had before and keep the same routine with small, regular meals. Continue puppy toilet training by rewarding them when they go outside.
Puppies cry or whine when they are distressed, such as when they cannot find their mother. They emit sounds so that their mother can seek them out. When adult dogs cry and whine, their vocalizations may convey a greeting, a message of defense, an invitation to play, or maybe a sign of submission.
Ignoring them at night won't help them build confidence and may make them worse which isn't what anyone wants. They need to be taught how to be independent slowly. We would never recommend ignoring your puppy when they cry at night, especially in their first few nights.
You should never leave a puppy to cry when they are in need of the basics, or this can cause difficulties with training later. Your puppy may cry when they are left alone, perhaps if you're elsewhere in the home or asleep.
It is important to allow a puppy crying in their crate to self-soothe a bit to ensure they do not whine and cry every time they are confined to receive your attention. If you respond too much to a crying puppy in their crate, they will learn to train you!
An 8-week old puppy should be eating 3-4 meals per day. The amount of food will vary depending on the size and breed of your puppy.
Leaving a puppy to cry it out is a risky strategy. Many puppies will to cry long enough that they need to toilet again. Then you have a crying and a bed wetting problem on your hands. The answer is to build your puppy's ability to relax on their own in a crate, in stages.
Leaving Your Dog Alone Is Not The Answer
A common myth surrounding separation anxiety is that by somehow ignoring your dog, or by forcing them to be alone for long periods of time, they simply will get used to it, and the disruptive behavior will stop. This couldn't be further from the truth.
“In my experience, the four most common breeds of dogs that exhibit signs of separation anxiety are typically Labrador Retrievers, Chihuahuas (both mixed breeds and standards), German Shepherds and Cocker Spaniels”, says Dr.
The answer is you should not be leaving your 8-week-old puppy alone for an extended period. This is the part of their life where they have just been weaned and need regular feedings and potty breaks. It is recommended to wait at least until they are 3 months old before they are left alone.